HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Katcher, M L Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Katcher, M L

Prevention of tap water scald burns: evaluation of a multi-media injury control program.

M L Katcher

A prospective study was designed to evaluate a mass media injury prevention program reaching two million people to determine its impact on risk awareness of hot tap water burns and injury-prevention behavior. Liquid-crystal thermometers for testing hot water temperature were offered at no cost; 140,000 were requested. Pre- and post-program general population random surveys (N = 337 and 318, respectively) found increased awareness of the danger of hot tap water, from 72 per cent to 89 per cent, but no increase in testing or lowering of water heater temperatures. A third random sample survey (N = 325) among thermometer requesters found a higher rate of testing (difference 58.1 per cent, 95 per cent CL 55.3 per cent, 60.9 per cent) than in the general population. Of those who tested, 43 per cent reported temperatures in the dangerous range of 54.4 degrees C (130 degrees F) or greater; 52 per cent of this group lowered their water heater thermostat. These findings indicate that: more than 25 per cent of the public is unaware of the potential danger of hot tap water; a safety education program which increases awareness will not necessarily result in injury-control behavior; and most people motivated to request a free thermometer will test their hot water temperature and lower it if necessary. As a result of this effort, thermostats of an estimated 20,000 water heaters were lowered from dangerously high levels.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. P. Spencer, B. J. Shields, and G. A. Smith Childhood Bathtub-Related Injuries: Slip and Fall Prevalence and Prevention Clinical Pediatrics, May 1, 2005; 44(4): 311 - 318. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M E Aitken, C J Graham, J B Killingsworth, S H Mullins, D N Parnell, and R M Dick All-terrain vehicle injury in children: strategies for prevention Inj. Prev., October 1, 2004; 10(5): 303 - 307. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C Macarthur Evaluation of Safe Kids Week 2001: prevention of scald and burn injuries in young children Inj. Prev., June 1, 2003; 9(2): 112 - 116. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. WATERSTON and T. TONNIGES Advocating for children's health: a US and UK perspective Arch. Dis. Child., September 1, 2001; 85(3): 180 - 182. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. L Katcher Tap water scald prevention: it's time for a worldwide effort Inj. Prev., September 1, 1998; 4(3): 167 - 168. [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. P. Rivara Tap Water Scald Burns in Children, by K. W. Feldman, R. T. Schaller, J. A. Feldman, and M. McMillon, Pediatrics, 1978;62:1-7 Pediatrics, July 1, 1998; 102(1): 256 - 258. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				F. P. Rivara, D. C. Grossman, and P. Cummings Injury Prevention- Second of Two Parts N. Engl. J. Med., August 28, 1997; 337(9): 613 - 618. [Full Text] [PDF]